Chapter "400"
Eye Of The Beholder
Today as well, Kateshina Ruu had come to visit the batting center.
With a graceful and sharp form, she swung the tsukumogami-fied Katsuo-kun bat, and the batted ball hit the home run target dead center.
(Hoooom ruuuuun!)
"You did it, Katsuo-chan! Ten times in a row, a new record!"
She hopped up slightly with a victory pose. The way she then happily spoke to the bat in her hand made her a complete oddball. But for Ruu, such times were also immensely enjoyable.
In fact, Kateshina Ruu had changed significantly through interacting with the consciousness of the tsukumogami-fied Katsuo-kun bat.
By changing from a position where she was merely protected to one where she looked after someone else, she had shown mental growth.
Because of this, she had become able to reach out to elementary school students in trouble on the street, and she had been able to save Nina Shizue's twin siblings. And now, they were on their way to the older sister they adored.
"Ah, there are customers waiting, so I have to go out. Let's take a break for one round."(Hoooom run...)
And so, Ruu, who had returned to the waiting bench, took out the water bottle her mother had given her from her belongings and took a drink, wetting her throat.
"Haa, cold and delicious."
But there was a man staring intently at Ruu like that...
It was none other than Otchan. The Otchan who worked the counter at this batting center.
Normally, bringing in outside food and drink is a no-go at such facilities. Even if there aren't any signs posted, if you're thirsty, the established rule is to buy a drink from the vending machine on site. Kateshina Ruu, due to her lack of worldly experience, had failed to realize this.
No, at the public hall that housed the library she frequented daily, it was a common sight to see parents with strollers eating onigiri they had brought inside. Ruu, who saw such scenes as perfectly natural, had unknowingly broken an unwritten rule of society.
But the Otchan at the batting center didn't call her out on it. Instead, he narrowed his eyes, smiled faintly, and returned his gaze to the newspaper he was reading.
Why on earth was that?
The answer was that Otchan had taken an immense liking to Kateshina Ruu. He didn't even need to think back; the memory was still fresh and vivid.
Otchan had first laid eyes on this girl the day she entered the batting center, looking around curiously with wide eyes. Petite with a still-childish face and build, she looked to be about middle school age. And she had asked, "I'd like to use the facilities, how do I do it?"
That's when Otchan had a hunch.
Aha~. I see, she must have been influenced by TV or something and wants to try swinging a bat herself. That makes sense, otherwise a girl of that age wouldn't come to a batting center alone.
Having made that estimation, he politely explained how to use the facilities.
The girl listened to the explanation seriously, even taking proper notes. He smilingly watched her figure, still a bit clumsy, as she headed towards the batter's box, and as he turned on his heel to return to his counter. A magnificent, satisfying crack resounded behind him...
The moment he turned around in surprise, his breath caught.
Because there was a lovely girl in a white dress, her hair flowing, nailing the pitched ball into the net with a beautiful, full swing.
But the miracle didn't end there.
The next one, and the next... The balls pitched by the machine were perfectly hit back, one after another piercing the net.
And then, he saw it. He saw it.
The lovely, delicate-looking girl, every time she hit a home run, happily talking to the red bat in her hand....
(Th-That! That's the 'balls are friends' thing, isn't it!!)
And so, the image of Kateshina Ruu was seared vividly into the heart of this Showa-era-born Otchan, and she became his favorite customer.
But... it wasn't just the counter Otchan who had been captivated by Kateshina Ruu.
The regulars at the batting center had also had their hearts stolen by her lovely figure. They were exhilarated by the sight of her happily making that satisfying sound and hitting home runs, and felt something pure and were warmly healed by the sight of her joyfully talking to her bat.
But one time. An incident occurred where a troublemaker persistently tried to talk to her, frightening her and causing her to leave immediately.
This led to great disappointment from both the batting center's Otchan and the regulars, who felt, "Ah, the bluebird of happiness has flown away..." They immediately surrounded the troublemaker and, as a group, gave him a thorough two-hour lecture on being a gentleman and the path of righteousness.
Since then, an unspoken 'Super Gentleman's Alliance' of 'don't touch, don't talk, don't get involved' was formed and upheld at this batting center. The utmost care was taken to ensure the bluebird of happiness wouldn't get surprised or scared and fly away.
...
But today, Otchan noticed some high school girls peeking in through the entrance. Upon spotting the unaware Kateshina Ruu, they said, "Ah, there she is! Hurry, hurry!" and called their friends over.
He couldn't imagine the polite and well-mannered her being involved in any trouble.
But if, just if, some trouble were to occur, he'd step in and mediate. Otchan watched the development of the situation with a nervous, fluttering heart.